Implementing the National Policy on ICT @Schools : Challenges and Issues Sridhar Rajagopalan

Implementing the National Policy on ICT @Schools : Challenges and Issues

Sridhar Rajagopalan

Agenda

Scheme- Good Points- Concerns and Suggestions

Evaluation- Good Points- Concerns and Suggestions

The emphasis on content development and the teacher award scheme are strong points

Provision for Content Development so that it does not become an only-hardware scheme

The teacher award especially as well as the emphasis on teacher capacity building is welcome

Emphasis on schools having access to high speed internet, power supply options including solar

ICT@Schools Scheme – Good Points


Much more emphasis is needed on software and content –not hardware. (For hardware, an empanelment model with per student grants will give flexibility and protect against obsolescence.)

States (and the centre) to invest resources into common R&D areas like:- Use of Intelligent Systems to build solutions for

Reading, topics like Algebra, etc., and research on ICT

- Creation of vernacular content (even for example in Wikipedia / videos) must be emphasized

Vision of all schools having high speed internet

NMEICT for Schools

ICT@School – Concerns/Suggestions:Overall Points


Software and vernacular content creation (discussed in 5.4.1, but should include non-govt players too)

Creation of high quality videos

Research on Intelligent Teaching Systems

Widespread NMEICT to support innovation at research supporting not just goverments, but also schools, teachers, DIETs, universities, NGOs including innovative private companies

Grand Challenge: Eg. Reading software

ICT@School – Concerns/Suggestions:Key Emphasis Areas


There are many potential applications of ICT in schools

To enhance student subject learningTo provide access to (web) resourcesTo promote collaboration and community-creation (both for students and teachers)To support teachers in teachingTo provide MIS and administrative supportTo promote self-learning (eg. videos)To teach students programming skillsTo teach students computer-use skills

The policy needs to be driven by the priorities among the above and a clear articulation of what ICT use will look like (by providing for an ICT teacher, policy seems to emphasise the last use above)

ICT@School – Concerns/Suggestions:Vision of Key Use of ICT in Schools


We would recommend an empanelment and reimbursement model:

Vendors for computers, tablets, internet resources etc. as well as softwares are rigorously selected (expert group) and empanelled by the centre / state.

Schools / States will be reimbursed at fixed rates, but have full flexibility (for example to go for tablets with an LMS or laptops and video-based approach). 3-4 recommended models will also be described

ICT@School – Concerns/Suggestions:An empanelment model


The number of computers in a school could be linked to the number of students rather than being a fixed number (10 or 40)

Ideally number = section size. At least ½ section size should be a minimum.

In this manner fewer schools may be covered, but resource usage would be much higher

ICT@School – Concerns/Suggestions:Number of computers


Covers key aspects of the scheme well

Coverage / sampling is good for a qualitative survey of this sort

Provision to speak to school heads, teachers and students

ICT@Schools Evaluation – Good Points


At state and district levels data on the following should be sought with samples:

A short video screening of ICT facilities preferably in use should be made by the agency during the evaluation

Has any research on ICT impact on learning / education been carried out n the state?

ICT@Schools Evaluation – Suggestions (Software & Research)

Created last Year

Planned for next year

Software CreatedTeacher Support Material

Learning Material / e-Content Created

Material / Resources in Regional Languages


Forms should be filled by schools, preferably online and then the visits should happen. State govt should give contact phone and email numbers to the Evaluating Agency

Edusat Centres are covered, but since they can be a very key resource, could be more detailed with the aim of sharing best practices

Emphasis of ‘Smart Schools’ in scheme – questions on whether and how states are implementing

ICT@Schools Evaluation – Suggestions (General)


A short video screening of ICT facilities preferably in use should be made by the agency during the evaluation

Suggested additional questions for School Heads:

Has the ICT scheme made any difference to overall learning of students (either in school subjects or in the ICT subjects)?If no, Can you give suggestions and what should be done to make that happenIf yes, can you describe the change?

Have any videos for educational purposes been shot in the school (eg. videos of classes, videos of student on topics)

Is ICT use timetabled in the school – if so, details

ICT@Schools Evaluation – Suggestions (at Schools)


Open question at all levels asking to describe any example of innovative ICT work either in their state / district / school or another they are aware of

Are ICT resources being used for assessments in any way?

Any initiatives / experiences related to tablets for the state government / school?

Last, but not the least: Are costs realistic to get good agencies who will do a good job? If not, samples can be cut a bit to retain quality

ICT@Schools Evaluation – Suggestions (areas not covered)

Thank YouEducational Initiatives613-615, J.B. Towers, Opp.Doordarshan, Drive-In Road,Ahmedabad 380054. Gujarat. INDIA.Phone: +91-79-40269696. Fax: +91-79-26841400

www.ei-india.com

Implementing the National Policy on ICT @Schools : Challenges and Issues Sridhar Rajagopalan

Documents

content development

teacher award scheme

ict teacher

schools scheme good

welcome emphasis

hardware scheme

ict use

vernacular content creation